Pneumatic spring for vehicles or shock-absorbers.



. W. L. OSTENDORF. PNEUMATIC SPRING FOR VEHICLES OR SHOCK ABSORBERS.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.15, 1912.

' Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

INVENTOR. 'WL Ds'rEm: on?

. ATTOQEY.

WITNESSES:

jaw 4 W W. L. OSTENDORP. PNEUMATIC SPRING FOR VEHICLES on SHOGK ABSORBERS.

APPLICATION FILED JANJfi, 1912.

K; .w /k LL F x7 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

VII/1 4222747124 68 WITNESSES IN VEN TOR. 'WZL- C! Bram: can? A TTOR EY.

the rear suspension WILHELM L. OSTENDORF, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- THIRD T0 ALBERT HERMAN WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

KLESA AND ONE-THIRD T0 FRANK P. scorr, BOTH 0F PNEUMATIC SPRING FOR VEHICLES 0R SHOCK-ABSORBERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct. 13, 1914.

Application filed January 1 5, 1912. Serial No. 871,241.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELM L. OS'I'EN- DORF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of vented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Springs for Vehicles or Shock- Absorbers, of which the following is a specification.v

The present invention relates to improvements in shock absorbers, and is specially designed for use on auto-vehicles.

The primary object of the invention is the embodiment of a resilient suspension or support, including a liquid, pneumatic pressure cushioning device, which is adapted for use in lieu of, or with, the customary steel springs and pneumatic tires commonly in use.

The invention is applicable to the frame and springs of auto-vehicles of standard construction without any change or alteration in the frame, and -is of course well adapted,

and specially designed for newly constructed auto-vehicles, such as motor trucks, carriages, delivery wagons, and on railway rolling stock, and other vehicles.

The invention consists essentially in the novel arrangement of telescoping tubes which contain a compressible medium as air, andan incompressible medium consisting of a viscous liquid, as glycerin and soap, combined with a high and a low pressure pump for restoring themediums to normal conditions.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles, and I have also illustrated two forms of applying the invention for use on automobiles.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, s, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16, set forth a construction which may preferably be applied to the front suspension of automobiles; Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a shackle or hanger applied either in the front or rear, and Figs. 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13, illustrate the invention, as it may be applied to of an automobile:

For convenience, herein-after, I shall refer to the invention as applied to the vehicle designated by the broad term automobile,

Pennsylvania, have inis necessary F1 4. fieferring but it will be understood that this limitation is only for convenience of description.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top plan new of so much of an automobile frame, as to illustrate the application thereto of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 showing a front end of a frame, a leaf spring, and the shock absorbmg device connecting said frame and spring. Flg. 1s an enlarged detail sectional view of a oint in Fig. 2, to compensate for and take up movement of the vehicle, when one wheel is higher than the opposite. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the rear suspension, with my invention applied. Fig. 5 is a side elevatron of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively, a slde view and a face view, of a spring and expanding cone for the sliding joint pack- 1ng, between the telescoping parts of the invention. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the device as applied in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a side elevation. Fig. 10 is 9. tion on line 10-10 in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the domed cylinder head, adapted for attachment at the rear of the automobile. Fig. 12 is a top plan view of Fig. 11.' Fig. 13 is a side elevation of Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a section on line 14-14 Fig. 10. Fig. 15' is a section on line 15-15 Fig. 10. Fig. 16 is a section on line 1616, Fig. 10. Fig. 17 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower end of the device, showing the low pressure pump in lifted position. Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively, sectional views enlarged, on lines 1818 and 1919,

particularly to sheets 2 and 3 of the drawing,- the preferred embodiment of my invention includes the cylinder 1, the upper end ofwhich is closed by the head 2, the parts being threaded together as at 3 This head has integrally formed therewlth the angle 'bracketn, for attachment to the frame 5 of a vehicle. The lower end of the cylinder 1 is open, end, a sto ring 6 is threaded, whlch 1s in contact with and adapted to slide along the interior wall of the bearing tube 7 which incases the lower portion of the cylinder 1. The tube 7 is closed at its lower end, but its upper end is open and threaded ontothe depending flange 8 of a bearing ring 9' which encircles the cylinder 1, packing rings, whichmay be of the elastic type, being employed vertical or axial secbut upon its exterior, at the lubricates the bearing 1 through ducts 19, 19. At the upper side of the bearing ring 9 is attached the lower. end of a boot or cover 20, and the upper u er endtothe 45, PP

these ducts 14, and

10 and 11 to form a packed slidable joint. A buffer ring 12 surrounds thecylinder 1 adjacent the flange 8, and this ring is adapted to receiveand cushion any excessive shock of the stop ring 6, in the event of an excess stroke movement.

The bearing ring 9 is provided with a pair of diametrically arranged bearing bosses 13, 13, through each of which bosses extends a duct14, and these ducts 14, which are closed at their outer ends by the caps 14', connect, at their inner ends lar lubricating groove 15 in the inner wall of the bearing ring 9. Transverse ducts 16 in the bosses or bearing lugs 13 intersect as designated at terial, as grease for the outer surface of the lugs or bosses, while the groove ring 15 1 and the bearing ring 9. A pair of grease cups 17, closed by their respective caps 18,

supply the lubricant to the groove 15 end of the boot is attached, as by rin 21, to the head 2 of the cylinder 1. This oot is of leather or other flexible material and is designed to protect the incased cylinder and other parts, against dust, mud, etc. I

As seen more clearl in Fig. 10, the cylinder head 2 is provi ed with an air valve 22, through which air is forced by way of passage der 1. Ali ordinary air pump may be .used for this purpose, after detachin the cap 24, and by use ofanother suita le pump, liquid may also be introduced into the interior of the cylinder 1, for the purpose to- -be described. .There are two pumping mechanisms located within the telescoping device, and the plunger of'one of these pumps is formed by the tube ,25, threaded at its boss 26 which depends from the head 2, and adjacent, this threaded connection is an opening. or orifice 28. At the lower end of the tubular plunger, which I term the high; pressure pump plunger, is formed ahead 29, throu h which extends an axial passage. 30, close at one endjby a ball valve 31 whose stem is encircled by a coiled spring '32, which bears at one end against a pin 33, 'and at the other. end,.urges the valve 31 to closed position. over the end of the passage 30. This plunger. is adapted to reciprocate within -the high pressure pump cylinder 34, the packing rings 35 insuring a close fit. The tube 36 which I term the piston tube,

is provided with a head 37 ."screwed thereto at the lower end of the bearing cup7, and at the. upper-end of the -tube is threadedto a flanged ring 38 which is integral with the sleeve 39 that encircles the tube 34. The piston tube has a sliding as and use; 39

sliding j oint with an annu-' furnish lubricating mag.

between the cylinder.

23, into the interior of the cylinfit. in the cylinder 1, and the flanged ring packing cup 40, which is secured to the ring by means of a washer 41 and nut 42 threaded -on the sleeve. To further increase the effectiveness of this joint and to render the air tight and liquid tight, I provide a combination spring and expanding device which comprises az'nie'tallic cone 43 (see Figs. 6 and locatedflabove the nut 5 42. and bearing down-and outwardly against end of the leather cup the interior flaring its center, but

40. The rin 43=- is-open at its upper-so id face 44 is a series of circularly arranged springs or metallic tongues. 45, struck up from the bodv of. the material, and. against which Tightening ofthe the clamp nut 46 bears. nut 46 forces the leather packing cup against the inner. wallsof-the cylinder 1 to'make an air and fluid tight joint.

Located above the piston adaptedtomestfthereon is the head 47 of thehigh pressurepump cylinder 34. As clearly sefenin Fig, 17, the. head is threaded into the lower interiorly threaded end of the cylinder-.34, and is bored out to form an axially extending chamber' 48 which fits over and incases an upstanding boss 49 of the head 37. for the low pressure pump, and as clearly shown is bored out forming a passage 50' provided with.

head 37 and areprovided with a leather This boss. forms the plunger which expands at the upper end into a chamber 51 communicating with the chamber 48. A ball valve 52 is located in the chamber 51, ts movement being limited by the pin 53, to close the open end of the passage 50.

A secondball valve 54 normally closes the angular passage 55 which forms communication between the chamber 48 and the space 56 within the tube 36, and this ball valve is confined within its limits by means of the spherlcal end screw plug 57. Communication sure pump. cylinder 34, and the chamber 56 of the piston tube 36 is also regulated and controlled, through the passage 58 and hollow screw plug 59, by means of a spring pressed valve 60 which is adapted to occupy the valve seat 61 at the open end of the plug he'ad. The joint between the plunger 49, and the head 47 is packed by means of a leather cup washer 62, contracting spring 63, and the clamp nut 64 aswill be readily understood. To determine and regulate the .quantity of. fluid in the chamber or space 56, a gage tube 65 is employed. This tube is open at its upper end, but its lower end is. closed by a' screw plug 66 threaded into an .interiorly threaded plug 67 which is screwed into the head 37, and the whole is protected by a screw cap 68.

Referring nowto Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the manner of applying the'device to an automobile frame will be disclosed. For con-' venience I have referredto this mode as that between the interior of the high pres? means of the bolts 72 I which, at their other ends are the links 78, which larly as at 77 in Fig. 2, are attached at 80 but'it will be understood'that the parts are interchangeable and well adapted for either use. Assuming the frame 5 and the spring 69 which are pivoted as usual at 70, and the bearing yoke 71, to be of the usual equipment, my cushioning device is attached by and bracket 4'to the frame bar 5., and the bearin bosses 13 receive the perforated ends 0% the links ,73,

the bearing yoke 71 by means of the coupling bolt 74. A roller 75 (Fig. 3) is provided to take up rocking movement of a vehicle, when one wheel is higher than the opposite wheel. The inner end of the spring 69 is pivotally connected to the links 73 at point 7 6 by 77 (see also Figs. 18 and 19).

In the modification in Figs. 4, 5, 11, 12,13, referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the applica ion of the device is shown as modified for attachment to the rear of the automobile, wherein are shackled at 79, simi- A bracket arm 81 connects the frame bar 5 with the modified chambered or domed cylinder head 82. The slight or minor. changes otherwise involved in this modification will be understood and neednot bepointed out in detail.

The'method, best adapted for filling the pneumatic device, is to withdraw all air therefrom, through air valve 22, then to completely collapse or close the telescoping parts 1 and 7, after which the gage plug 66 is removed. Fluid substance, as glycerin to the spring 69.

, and soap, may then be introduced into the cylinder 1 through valve 22, filling the space around tube 34 above the packed joint, then the fluid overflows through the space be--' tween the sleeve 39 and tube 34 into the liquid storage space or chamber 56, until the top of the gage pipe is reached. The appearance of the liquid and its-flow through said pipe and open plug (37, indicate that a suflicient quantity has been placed in the tube 36. The plug 66 is now replaced, and

air 1s now pumped through the valve 22 until the telescoping parts are about half distended, or tea pressure suitable to meet particular requirements as may be determined by experiment and actual test. Under these conditions it will be understood that the upper portion'of the device including the cylinder 1 above the packed joint, and the interior of the tubular plunger 25 are filled with compressed air, as is also the space in chamber 56 above the incompressible fluid. Now assuming thatthe device absorbs a shock occasioned as the vehicle travels over a rough road, it will readily be seen that upon the upstroke of the cylinder 1 and plunger 25, the upward movement of the connected to means of the shackle or hanger and remain closed until the permits the fluid under pressure under the head 47 to lift said head and tube 34 bodily, to position seen in Fig. 17, and t e' movement is limited only by collar 100 on the tube 34. .The effectiveness of this movement is insured and enhanced by the presence of the lugs or protuberances 37 on the head 37 which provide a space between the underside of the plunger head and the upper face of the piston head, for the initial movement of pressure under the plunger. The distance of this movement may be regulated to'meet existing conditions by. adjusting the stop collar 100 on the tube 34 with relation to the ring 38. The reduced pressure Within the tube 34 also permits the introducion of fluid past valve 60 through passage 58 into the lower part of the tube 34. The down stroke of the partswill then cause this fluid to pass-around ball valve 31 up through tube 25 and opening 28, into the interior of the cylinder 1 upon the top of the packed sliding joint, thus sealing the sliding joint in an air tight manner. The surplus fluid will then run over the top of the packed joint, down between the packing ring and tube 34 to its proper space. It should be understood that the spring pressed valve 60 is sufliciently strongto withstand pressure tube 34 has moved upwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 17 before opening, and also strong enough to throttle sudden upward movements while taking in fluid. Spring 32 is of suflicient tension to allow passage of only enough liquid to throttle sudden downward movements and still retain liquid in the annular space above the packed joint, to keep the leather cup 40 well sealed against the interior of the cylinder walls 1. Liquid which should escape past the leather cup 40 of the sliding joint, into the lower end of the tube 7, at atmospheric pressure, is brought back to the storage space through radial channel 50 in the head 37, channel 50, past valve 52 into chambers 51 and 48, where it is held until the downstroke. The downstroke now causes the chambered head to close over the plunger 49 and forces the liquid from chambers 48 and 53 past the valve 54, and through the angular passage 55 to the liquid storage space 56. v

.Thereare many meritorious features 1nvolved in the above described device, among which may be mentioned the use of the com bined elastic and expansible cone packing for the sliding joint between the telescopic members, which expander rigidly forces the packing into intimate contact with the cylinder walls. This conical expander is concentrio with the axis of the cylinder and presses m a direction parallel with the axis, the

pressure being regulated by the adjusting nut. It will be noted that the liquid above cating parts.

the packed sliding joint comes directly in contact with the leather packing cup 40, thereby sealing the joint and maintaining a liquid and air tight joint. The low pressure pump which restores surplus fluid that may find its way through the sliding joint, to the space 56, prevents the loss, or undesirable accumulation of fluid. The high pressure pump of which the tube 25 is the plunger, working within the cylinder 34 of the low pressure pump, permits the device to absorb sudden shocks or jerks of the recipro The mechanism for attaching the shock absorber to the vehicle frame is clearly shown in the drawings, and no elaborate description is here necessary, but it should be understood that both forms of attachment illustrated, are applicable either to the front or to the rear suspension of automobiles. The attachment of the device to diifering styles of frames of auto-vehicles will of course bevaried to suit the existing conditions found, but the general principles of the invention will remain the same regardless of the manner of attaching the device.

From the above description taken in connection with the drawings it is believed I have provided a device which will fulfil the conditions set forth as the object-of the in vention, and while I have illustrated herein only one form of the essential featuresof my invention, it should be understood that I contemplate minor changes or alterations within the spirit of my appended claims, and without departing from the scope thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a bearing tube and a piston tube of a cylinder telescoping be tween said parts, tween said piston tube and cylinder, a pump plunger proj ect-ing from said cylinder and a cylinder for said plunger connected to said piston tube, and means for introducing and retaining compressed air in the cylinder above said packed joint andplunger.

2. The combination with a bearing tube and piston tube, of acylinder telescoping between said parts, a sliding joint between said piston tube and cylinder, an inner tube connected with said piston tube, a plunger connected to said cylinder and having its head within said inner tube, a gaseous fluid above said joint and a liquid fluid below said joint.

and means for restoring and retaining these.

i plunger,

mediums in normal condition.

3. The combination with a bearing tube, a piston tube and a cylinder, an open center head'for said piston tube and a sliding joint between said head and cylinder, an inner a packed sliding joint beand piston tube as an inner tube with a tube connected to said piston tube, a plunger connected to the cylinder and having its head in said inner tube, there being fluid in said piston tube, and means whereby said fluid may pass through said inner tube and plunger head to seal said sliding joint.

4. The combination with a bearing tube, a

piston tube with a fluid therein and a cylinder, of an open center head for said piston tube and a sliding joint between said head and cylinder, an inner tube connected to said piston tube and passedthrough said head, a plunger to the cylinder with its head in said inner tube, means whereby said fluid may be forced through said inner tube and plunger head to seal the sliding joint, and means for restoring such fluid as passes through said joint to its proper position.

5. The combination with a bearing tube, a piston tube with a fluid therein, and a cylinder with compressed air retained therein, of an open center head for said piston tube and a sliding joint between said head and cylinder, an inner tube connected with said piston tube and passed through said head, a plunger to the cylinder with its perforated and valved head in said inner tube, and a valve in the piston tube whereby fluid may be passed from said iston tube through said inner tube and per orated head to seal the sliding joint as described.

6. The combination with a bearing tube, a piston tube with a fluid therein, and a cylinder with compressed air retainedLtherein, of an open center head for said piston tube, and a sliding joint between said cylinder and head, an inner tube connected with said piston tube and passed through said head, a plunger to the cylinder w1th its head in said inner tube, means for introducing said fluid through said inner tube and past said plunger head to seal the slidlng joint, and passages in said piston tube and 'inner tube, controlled by valves for restorin excess fluid to its proper place.

The combination with a bearing tube described and with fluid in -said piston tube, a head and plunger formed on said piston tube, an inner tube with a chambered head incasin said plunger and movable relatively t ereto, and means for passing fluid from said bearing tube, through said heads and plunger, for the purpose described.

8. The combination with a bearing tube and piston tube with fluid therein, a hea and a plunger formed on said piston tube,

chambered head incasand movable relatively thereto, passages through said heads and and valves for permitting the introduction of fluid from the bearing tube back to the piston tube for the purpose de scribed.

- 9. The combination with a bearing tube ing said plunger and a piston tube, of a cylinder telescoping between said parts, a sliding joint between said cylinder and piston tube comprising a leather cup, a metallic cone bearing 011twardly against the edge or said cup and formed with integral elastic spring tongues, and a clamping nut bearing on said tongues.

10. The combination with a bearing tube and piston tube with fluid therein, a head and a plunger formed on said piston tube,

an inner tube with a chambered head incasing said plunger and movable relatively thereto, passages through said heads and plunger, valves for permitting the intro duction of fluid from the bearing tube back to the piston tube, a gage tube projectin into said inner tube, a hollow plug secure in said chambered head communicating with relatively thereto, a gage tube located in said chambered head and opening through the bearing tube and means for closing said gage tube.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILHELM L. OSTENDORF.

Witnesses:

W. A. HIRTLE, JOHN-F. SWEENY: 

